Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-19
Our so-calIed street-Sweeping.

To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
AS everybody knows, the work Of sweeping che
streets OF the city Is not done as eectua1y as IL
used to be, nor anything like as well as it ought
due to the cupidity OF the contractor the negi-
gence Of his employees; but 1t could not exist If the
District Commissioners Or those acting under them
did their whole duty in the matter and exercised
proper supervision over the work as it is being
DONE In the first place, the brOOms used have not
sufficient power or capacity to detach and collect
together the dirt which adneres TO the concrete
pavementS or collects between the stone blocks
where that method OF paving has been adopted.
Secondly, the men employed in taking up and
carting away the sweepings are careless and In
piles do not do that part thoroughly, so that a
large percentage OF the fifth is left where the ma
the carts do not entirely remove and clean away
the dirt thus brought together. And, finally,
after the sweepings have been put into the carts
the ~~ streets again from the top Of the the
piled-up deposit within. The result is
that after the residents Of street have been kept
awake haif the night by the racket OF the noisy
men engaged in the work, it is sometimes difficult
morning whether it has actually been swept or
not. Now, for such an unsatisfactory return for
the large amount OF money spent there Is no ex-
cuse. Either the present contractor should be
made to do the work properly, or the contract
should be taken from him and given to some one
who has both the ability and disposition to give
the city the clean streets it pays for.
Another thing requiring the attention OF the au-
thOritteS Is the insufficient manner in which the
streets are sprinked before the work OF sweeping,
as 1t is called, Is begun. Last night, for example,
not more than half the surface Of 10th street
northwest was mOtstened by the sprinkler, SO that
when the sweepers went by every house on the
street whose windows were open-aS most OF them
were-waS filled with cloud or filthy dust to set
tie upon carpets, hangingS and furniture, and
I'LL the lungs OF the inmates. II an inspector or
some representative OF the District government
were present to supervise the manner in which
thn &c 10 nP on,,1d
pen, as 1t surely ought not to happen.
And now one word more upon subject which
has often been presented by TIE STAR, editOrtaly
and otherwise, but which ought to be kept before
the eyes or the authorities until reform Is brought
about by some means or other. refer to the nut-
stores &C, to be deposited In the streets A case
In point was presented this morning On one OF the
streets which was preSumptively swept last night.
After the carts had gone by and carried away as
much OF the collected dirt us they cared TO remove
those In charge OF one OF our numerous green
the work OF renovattng the establishment Tor the
business OF the day, and in little while they had
deposited In the street in 'front.' OF the premises
about wheelbarrow load OF dirt, consisting Of
saW-dust, straw, greasy brown paper, and even
empty cans, to lie there TO brighten horses and be
until the sweeping contractor repeats his solemn
farce OF going over the street again week or ten
days hence. Surely, Mr.. Editor, fragrant abuse
like this should not be permitted. believe that
under the authority given by the law passed last
winter, the Commissioners have ample power TO
stop 1t If they wish TO.
Messrs Webb, Ludlow and Wheatley, please give
this whole matter your early attention, and afford
such relief as is possible. CITIZEN.
May IL, 1857.